Kidnapped by Dee Henderson Page A

just being friends. But it wasn’t a night that could absorb one more emotional note. She closed her eyes. “I enjoyed that New Year’s Eve.”
    â€œSo did I, Caroline.”
    She let herself remember that night, wanting to be back in those happier times.
    * * *
    A carnival was not how Caroline had expected Luke to want to bring in the new year, but she was willing to admit it was growing on her.
    She laughed at the strange balloon animal he handed her. “I’m not going to ask.”
    â€œThink giraffe meets ostrich; it’s nothing but a very long neck and very thin legs.”
    â€œI suppose it can be construed that way.”
    He handed a bill to the balloon vender and then reached for her hand. “You asked for as many gifts as possible that were basically made of air, and you have to admit, I’m excelling at the challenge.”
    â€œThe cotton candy was delicious too.”
    â€œFor pure air volume, the blown glass figurine beat it in spades. Are you up to another ride?”
    She studied the Ferris wheel ahead of them, the colorful lights twinkling in the dark sky. “I admit to being overwhelmed with movement. We’d better just plan to sit awhile.”
    â€œThe twirly seats did you in.”
    â€œI think it was the spinning barrel where the floor dropped away.”
    The carnival crowd had grown as midnight approached, and finding a table at one of the food spots turned out to be a challenge. Luke cleared away trays at a small table for two and created them a place. “Would you like more coffee or something to eat?”
    â€œGet us some chips to share? Salt sounds good right now.”
    â€œBe right back.”
    Her arms had filled with packages during the evening, and she settled the sacks around her. When he returned, she shifted aside her pad of paper and helped him set down the tray. “Your idea of something to share is a meal.”
    â€œBigger is always the better value.”
    She didn’t laugh although her lips twitched. She picked up a tortilla chip and tried the salsa. She liked his taste in food. He turned her pad of paper toward him.
    â€œIt’s tradition on New Year’s Eve to look back at the year and try to decide how life will improve.”
    â€œYou just like lists,” Luke replied, grinning at her.
    â€œI’m good at them.”
    â€œ Buy new car. Take Benjamin to see a musical. Get graduate course catalog for master’s program. Sleep more. ” He slid her list back around. “Those last two sound mutually exclusive.”
    â€œGetting the course catalog is not the same as signing up for classes, Luke.”
    â€œIt’s one of those long long-term goals.”
    â€œExactly.”
    He ate a chip. “You forgot a couple important ones.”
    â€œSuch as?”
    â€œBuy more candy sticks.”
    â€œYou liked those, did you?”
    â€œBenjamin and I have good taste. Those old-fashioned candy jars you keep on the counter are unique; I like that.”
    She wrote it down.
    â€œAdd one specifically for me: Date Luke. ”
    Her pen missed the paper. “You just got done telling me you don’t date.”
    â€œWhen did I say that?”
    â€œOn the log ride—which, let me point out, had water much colder than you predicted.”
    â€œIt’s going to be January in a couple hours; it’s supposed to be cold water. I said I don’t date because of my job, as in make a habit of it . For you, I’ll make an exception.”
    She bit her lip.
    â€œWrite it down,” he offered helpfully.
    She wrote it down. “I don’t understand you.”
    â€œI’m not that hard to figure out. I don’t have enough free time to make elaborate what should be simple decisions.”
    â€œYou met me at the wedding over three months ago and invited me to tonight. Now you’re asking about the next year.”
    â€œIf I don’t ask, how are you going